Magnolia, San Miguel seek 2-0 semis lead

MAGNOLIA and San Miguel Beer shoot for their second straight victory in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal series on Friday, January 26, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Magnolia takes on Phoenix at 8 p.m. and San Miguel battles Barangay Ginebra in the 4 p.m. opener.

The Hotshots drew first blood after their grind out 92-89 win against the Fuel Masters last Wednesday while the Beermen had to lean in the steady shooting hands of CJ Perez late in the game to escape the Gin Kings 92-90 to take a 1-0 lead.

The Beermen showcased the depth of their roster as evidenced by the way they were able to generate their offense outside import Bennie Boatwright.

The Gin Kings were able to limit Boatwright’s highly charged offense to just 23 points in the series opener behind a 3-of-11 shooting from downtown.

The former USC Trojan entered the series averaging over 45 points in his last three contests.

Yet, SMB coach Jorge Gallent knew very well that his Ginebra coaching counterpart Tim Cone has prepared a solid game plan against the Beermen’s sweet-shooting reinforcement.

Seven-time league Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo had 18 points and nine boards in Game One, and is expected to bring his A-game throughout the series, now that he has fully healed from a wrist fracture injury.

SMB’s veteran-laden roster also had Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, Jericho Cruz and Chris Ross, all deadly from three-point land.

Knowing Cone, he will be able to make the key adjustments as the Gin Kings try to even up the series.